Wetlands_&_Waterways_Route_8p_Layout 1 25/11/2013 15:01 Page 1 THE ROUTE WETLANDS & WATERWAYS 8 If you are doing the Burscough Loop then through the next field gate 16 Continue south along the Rufford branch for 3.5Km after the turn right to exit the site onto Marsh Moss Lane. You can now take the causeway bridge until you reach Top Locks at the end of the BURSCOUGH field edge path across the road to take you back to Burscough Bridge. Rufford branch. Cross the canal via one of the footbridges near to THEMED The area around this walking route has some of the flattest land in West the Ship Inn (where you can also hire one of our cycles for £1 an Lancashire. Pretty cottages, nature reserves and quaint waterside pubs 9 Continuing on from No. 7, at the end of the track turn left if you wish to hour) and continue right along the towpath. Shortly you pass WALKS are just some of the things you can see along the way. visit Martin Mere Wetland Centre, our route continues across the road Burscough Wharf where you can stop for refreshments. There is some interesting architecture and wonderful wildlife and visitor turning right along Fish Lane for about 130m until you turn left and 17 The Burscough Loop continues along the towpath where you pick attractions to discover. You will explore the area via field paths, tracks and follow the track towards Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve which is Wetlands up directions from point 3. For the Wetlands and Waterways route canal towpaths, many of which are well signposted. well signed. Section 10 explains the route in more detail. walk through the Wharf, exiting through the main gates, into 10 Walk along the track (do not bear towards the farm buildings) Burscough Village. Here you will find further cafes and pubs for continue ahead, passing a derelict cottage on your left. The track now you to enjoy. Follow the main road to the right until you return to & Waterways 1 Starting at Burscough Bridge, look for the gate in the fence on the northern platform. Go through the gate and take the path to the left. bears right and when you reach the ditch you turn sharp left, keeping Burscough Bridge Interchange. Continue along this path until you reach the level crossing at the ditch on your left. At the end of the ditch turn right along a There are many more lovely walks within the area covered Crabtree Lane. Turn right here and continue along the Lane, until the trodden path between fields, then turn left before the next ditch. by the VISIT Project, please visit our website at road bends to the left, after the bench turn sharp left, leaving the Pass through a kissing gate turning immediately right and cross the www.visitseftonandwestlancs.co.uk for more leaflets road walk ahead towards the gates of Mereside Cottage. wooden footbridge just ahead, (if you turn left here you can visit Windmill Animal Farm) then the next footbridge just ahead again. and ideas for walks, cycle rides and days out. 2 Turn right before the gates along a field edge path, then left at the Continue ahead until you reach the surfaced track and the road This leaflet hopes to encourage you to get out and about in the Burscough area and discover end of the fence. Follow the sign to Martin Mere Wetland Centre for bridge on Sandy Way. the area’s wonderful public rights of way network. a few metres and then turn left at the waymarker and walk across the field. Cross at the level crossing and 11 After crossing the road bridge turn right along the Rufford Boundary The public regularly uses all the footpaths in this leaflet without let or hindrance as public continue ahead over more cross Sluice and continue until you reach Mere Sands Wood. If you are rights of way; however, please respect the privacy of landowners, tenants and farmers and the possession of this leaflet is NOT to be taken as a guarantee of any particular right of access. field paths, and through a farm continuing on the Wetlands and Waterways route then go to yard, until you reach the towpath of number 13. For the Rufford or Meres and Mosses routes go to 12. WHAT TO WEAR AND BRING WITH YOU the Leeds Liverpool Canal. l When walking any distance, good quality walking shoes or lightweight waterproof boots 12 Enter the wood, then keep right and walk parallel to the ditch along the are advisable, as is a daypack to carry your maps, food and drink and extra warm clothing 3 Turn right and walk along the perimeter of the reserve until the path takes a very sharp left, go or waterproofs. towpath until you pass under straight ahead here through a kissing gate, past Rufford Cricket Ground l In winter be aware of the wind chill effect in exposed areas and that some sections can bridge number 29. Leave the and onto Cousins Lane. Cross the road and follow the partially become muddy, suitable footwear should be worn. towpath via the track towards the road; do not cross the canal boardwalked footpath, crossing 3 roads, until you reach the A59 where l In summer it would also be sensible to pack a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water, bridge but walk towards the Martin Lane/Gorst Lane junction. you can rejoin the canal towpath over the causeway bridge. For the especially as this route is mostly over exposed open fields. Continue ahead along the footway to the Martin Inn where you Mere and Mosses Loop turn right along the tow path and continue l cross the Merscar Lane junction and continue straight ahead to The Why not take a small digital camera to record your walk, we would be happy to share at number 16. Turn left for the Rufford Loop and follow numbers your experiences and receive your feedback on the route. Farm Tea Rooms. 15 to 13 in reverse. Contact us via the website: www.visitseftonandwestlancs.co.uk l 4 Opposite The Farm Tea Rooms on the right is the signpost towards 13 Enter the wood and turn left at the 1st junction and right at the @VisitSefWLancs Visit Sefton and West Lancs Martin Mere, follow this sign along a field edge path, turn left at the junction over the sluice into the pine woods. Turn left at the pine end and walk past the pond. Turn right, almost a U turn, and walk woods junction and follow the path to the perimeter of the reserve past the smaller pond following the path towards the trees in the following the visitor centre signs. At the visitor centre leave via the distance. The path then skirts around the trees and heads driveway, cross over the road, turn right and walk along the towards the railway line. Turn left and walk along the path adjacent footway. to the railway line until you reach the level crossing where you cross the track to continue. 14 After about 150m turn left along a track, the route bends to the right and passes through a group of barn conversions before it continues 5 After crossing the railway continue ahead and turn right at the sign by an old barn. At the end of this track is a field gate, pass along the edge of the wood and down Croston Drive where you reach through and turn right and follow the tree line on your left until the A59. you go through a kissing gate, and then another kissing gate just 15 Cross the A59 and continue ahead up Spark Lane, turn right into to your left. Croston Road and then cross the road to go down the steps onto the l Moderate/Difficult Rufford branch of the Leeds Liverpool Canal. Go under the bridge and 6 You are now entering the free section of Martin Mere, the Reedbed l Villages, canal towpaths Walk. You can take time here to do a bit of bird watching as the path enjoy the views along the canal, including Rufford Old Hall on the passes a couple of hides. opposite bank (access is from A59 only), St Mary’s and Fettler’s and field paths Wharf Marinas. VISIT– Visitors in Sustainable Integrated Transport l Distance 14.5 miles 7 If you are continuing on the Wetlands and Waterways route walk l ahead towards the Martin Mere visitor centre. Funded by the Department for Transport through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund About 6 hours Wetlands_&_Waterways_Route_8p_Layout 1 25/11/2013 15:01 Page 2 Smithy 15 Holmeswood Wood L iiver v Alma Wood KEY e n Mere Side L Nuck’s r s Wood Spring poolp Rd n Wood i o g Wood Full Wetlands g o i l WWiggins L R & Waterways Loop James d 14.6 miles CCross Meanygate ros Mere Side HHolmeswoodolm Rd s Me esw Porter’s Wood any ood gate Rd Burscough Loop LLongo Meany 6.5 miles ng Caunce M ea HHolmeswood Rd Rufford Old Hall Wood n y o y 14 l RuffordRufford Rufford Loop gateg a A m a e t W e s w Mawdesley 4.5 miles y o OOldld HHallall d o Moss n d 11 a R A BBerrye House Rd SSandy Way d Meres and rry H MMereere SSandsands ous e Rd WWoodood Rufford Mosses Loop Windmill 12 miles e n n Animal LaL Mawdesley Rufford Windmill Animal Windmill Animal Farm 12 A 13 Millenium Green n Marinas Farm s Farm L ’ in h s n s u L i n FFish Ln o il CCousin’s K MMea MMere Ln ick e er r a Rail Station e Ln BBrick Kiln Ln dowd Ln Ln o tle w oo L TTootle Ln n SSmit t 16 The Causeway S m BBlacklac Moor Rd i Pub Bridge Fettler’s Wharf Marinak Moor Rd th w y Ln eew L N n Refreshments SSandy n a GGo L n o d rser FFis w s is y e h Ln le Mere Sands Wood y Ln r L LnL n u MarinaL & Café n n CCurlew Ln MartinMartin Tarlscough RRuffo 9 u f A 10 fo MereMere r d Rd R Visitor Attraction d A TTarls Low Meadows LnLn ar Daaubub lsccough Ln ou gh Ln 9 Martin Mere 5 7 8 AA59 Burscough Moss M 5 eadea n d L owo Ln s w s L o n M Greenreen Ln RRed Cat Ln Ln h s e r n d L HHall Ln a C e a MMarsh Moss Ln eee Ln a l r l 6 t t n L L b L a n r n e l CCrabtr a d s r e m New Lane 2 Ln m NNew s u r e s w DDrummersdale Ln o Footbridge across canal LLn MMoss Ln n n Burscough Wharf n L L s n Burscough ai NewNew Burscough w MMains Ln Bridge o 4 Bridge d a LaneLane e Smithy MMeadow Ln MMerscerscaarr LnLn orstorst LLnn 1 G n Lane Ends L e e tr rst Ln b GGorsto Ln ra 3 CCrabtree Ln W oood Ln n L o k d MMar a L a A le n rttini Lane BBleak Ln n La Burscough 17 Cycle Hire at The Ship, Lathom ne SSchoolch Ln oo l Ln Top Locks n L t a e BBurscoughurscough h Narrow Boat on Canal WWheat Ln.